Phil 1:12-14
12 Now I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel. 13 As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ. 14 Because of my chains, most of the brothers in the Lord have been encouraged to speak the word of God more courageously and fearlessly.
Paul is stuck in prison (and I'm guessing he didn't have cable tv or a recreation facility), which is probably the situation referred to in Acts 28. Dude has lost everything and still his perspective is totally "other world". Everything Paul is involved in has to do with his mission and purpose in life. It consumes him. I would suggest that it is also reflective of his belief in God's control over all things, as nothing seems to be a waste moment of outside of God's purpose for him. Of course, his passion, his purpose is to advance the gospel, and this is what is taking place through his suffering.
There are at least two ways in which Paul's suffering has served to advance the gospel...
1. The palace guard and those who are observing can't help but know why Paul is suffering...the gospel.
2. It has encouraged others to get after it. If one is willing to sacrifice for the kingdom, others will follow.
A couple of thoughts...1. Why is it that whenever I suffer, I think it is an aberation, a straying away from what life is supposed to be about? Why do I feel it is always so unfair? Maybe there is a bigger purpose going on than I am willing to acknowledge...
2. I wonder if the reason that we seem to see little true spreading of the gospel in our country is that we have it too good...just a thought...an uncomfortable one. I'll leave you with that.
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